Nene hits over 60 percent of his jumpers, but doesn't show much defensively. He’s kind of a finesse player who won't protect the paint. Ibaka and Perkins had their way with him in the last year's playoffs. So, what we have here is a $13 mil salary for the next five years for a player who is a solid jump shooter and is pretty athletic. I say this is waaaay too much.

Free-agent combo forward Earl Clark strongly wishes to return to the Orlando Magic, but until the team sorts out the future of star center Dwight Howard, he may have to look elsewhere. Clark has an offer from the Denver Nuggets. "He is considering [the Magic]," Happy Walters, his agent, told the Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins. "However, he is also considering other offers."

Sources told ESPN.com that the most active proposal discussed by the teams would make Portland Trail Blazers swingman Gerald Wallace and Nets center Brook Lopez two of the main pieces Orlando would receive in exchange for Howard.

As part of such a trade, which could be expanded to include a fourth team, sources say Orlando also would shed the long-term contracts of Hedo Turkoglu and Chris Duhon -- both would be absorbed by the Nets -- while also potentially receiving future draft considerations.

Other players would have to be added to the deal to make the salary-cap math work, but sources said Portland would receive multiple first-round picks as part of the exchange for surrendering Wallace and facilitating the trade.

Yet it remains to be seen if the Brooklyn-bound Nets can convince the Magic to indeed go through with trading Howard before the season starts. Earlier this week, one source familiar with the Magic's thinking insisted to ESPN.com that they were not yet prepared to trade Howard, clinging to the hope that he can be talked into staying.

The Hornets will receive guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ unprotected 2012 first-round pick. ... As part of the deal, Paul has agreed to not opt out of his contract after this season – allowing the Clippers to keep him at least through the 2013-14 season.

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So the Hornets get a complete team in exchange for Chris Paul. Not bad for them.

Clippers get to enjoy Chris Paul for a while at the cost of gutting their team. In the interim, their core is CP3, Foye, Butler, Griffin and <insert mediocre big here>. Billups is going to play backup to CP3 on a playoff-capable team.

Chris Paul, Chancey Billups, Mo Williams, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Caron Butler ... that team with 3 others coming off the bench should still win 50 games as long as all stay healthy and find another big....hello Chris Humphries >who probably is not yet ready escape the Hollywood limelight sans a Kardashian.

Chris Paul, Chancey Billups, Mo Williams, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Caron Butler ... that team with 3 others coming off the bench should still win 50 games as long as all stay healthy and find another big....hello Chris Humphries >who probably is not yet ready escape the Hollywood limelight sans a Kardashian.

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I sure hope Joe takes a long and hard look at Humphries. Seems like the guy likes to live in the Midwest, maybe he'd be open to joining the Pistons.